WRITTEN QUESTION E-0749/02 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Progress on the evaluation of Fenthion.
Date: 2002-03-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: chemical compound, evaluation method, marketing standard, plant health product, public health

18.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 172 E/225

(2002/C 172 E/242)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0749/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 March 2002)

Subject: Progress on the evaluation of Fenthion

In answer to Written Question E-3552/00 (1), the Commission stated that one of the basic principles of
Council Directive 91/414/EEC (2) of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on
the market was the drawing-up of a list of accepted active substances in Annex 1, although Article 8(2)
‘provides for a derogation during a period of 12 years (until 25 July 2003) for Member States to continue
to authorise plant protection products containing active substances not included in Annex 1 of the
Directive …’.

The Commission went on to state that Fenthion was one of the active substances being evaluated under
the Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3600/92 (3) of 11 December 1992, and that it was expected that the
Commission would be able to adopt a decision on Fenthion in early 2001. The Commission also indicated
that it would inform the Parliament and Council by July 2001, as provided under the terms of the
Directive, of the progress which had been made with the re-evaluation programme.

On 28 November 2001, in answer to Written Question E-2883/01 (4), the Commission confirmed that the
use of Fenthion was permitted under Community law pending the completion of the evaluation process,
that the evaluation process had almost been finalised, and that the Commission would, after consultation
with the Scientific Committee on Plants, propose as soon as possible a decision on Fenthion.

Could the Commission indicate whether the evaluation has now been completed, and a final decision made
on the safety, or otherwise, of Fenthion?

(1) OJ C 174 E, 19.6.2001, p. 76.
(2) OJ L 230, 19.8.1991, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 366, 15.12.1992, p. 10.
(4) OJ C 115 E, 16.5.2002, p. 187.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(10 April 2002)

The evaluation of fenthion has now indeed been completed, with the exception of one study which was
submitted only very recently to the rapporteur Member State. The evaluation of this study will be available
in April 2002, but should not delay the decision making process. The Commission will submit the result
of its evaluation to the Scientific Committee on Plants in April 2002. It is expected that the Committee
will deliver its opinion within two months. The Commission intends to decide on fenthion as soon as
possible after receipt of the opinion of the Scientific Committee.

(2002/C 172 E/243)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0813/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(25 March 2002)

Subject: The Italian Government and the Second World War

In the article in the Italian newspaper ‘Corriere della Sera’, dated 4 February 2002, a minister in the Italian
Government, Mirko Tremaglia, stated ‘it would have been better if we’d won the war’.

Given the suffering endured by many during the Second World War, what is the Commission’s opinion of
this statement?

Does the Commission intend to raise this issue with the Italian Government?